Take 5 with Cheryl Rotyliano

Cheryl Rotyliano

Associate Director, Market Readiness and Employment, Wake Forest School of Business

1. How do you define success for yourself? What has helped you to be successful?

Success for me is living a holistic life that allows me to live my values: meaningful work, advancing equity, and continuous learning. I’ve found a career that allows me to live these values every day which has set me up for success. I believe values are a core component to fulfilling and meaningful work.

2. Think of a time that you faced a challenge, obstacle, or roadblock. How did you get through that and what did you learn?

A common interview question I ask when I’m hiring is “What would you do if you found an elephant in your backyard?” People usually find this question amusing at first and then it actually becomes intimidating because they wonder what the “right” response is. I’ve heard responses ranging from calling animal control, to inviting friends over for a party to take selfies with the elephant, to asking their Mom what to do.

I respond to this question the same way that I approach any challenge or obstacle: I bring people together who have knowledge, strengths, and skills that I may not have. For the elephant example, I immediately think of my friend who is a veterinarian and my friend who owns a trucking/transport company – I need to build a team! This is the approach I use with any obstacle: assessing where my gaps in perspective and knowledge might be and making sure I involve others who broaden those.

3. Who are your people (either by name or role) who help you to be successful/confident/intentional/reflective/any other descriptor you want to use? And how have they helped you?

I am lucky to have had many supervisor/mentors who have provided me with the autonomy to grow my confidence and skillset. My Positive Psychology professor over 10 years ago provided me with important foundational self-reflection and mindfulness tools that continue to serve me today.

4. How did you find your people?

You know how interviewers ask you if you have any questions at the end of an interview? I have asked really strategic and specific questions to make sure I’m finding a supervisor that shares my values.

5. What advice would you give to Wake Forest students as they look for their people?

Set aside time to find your people. In such a busy world with endless priorities and to-do lists, make sure you are still connecting. Good connections can come from strategic preparation but also from chance. There are wonderful, helpful people all around you that just need you to take the first step: ask someone how their day is going, give a compliment, or ask a question. It can be easy to get started!